Radford Tuition Promise

Admitted first-year freshmen and transfer students with Virginia residency whose families have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $100,000 or less according to their 2022 federal income tax and a Student Aid Index (SAI) of less than $15,000 as determined by the FAFSA. 

Students must apply for admission by their respective priority deadline. For freshmen students entering in the fall, this is February 1. For transfer students entering in the fall, the priority deadline is March 1. For freshmen and transfer students entering in the spring, the priority deadline is November 1. 

Students must also submit and include Radford University on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by the priority deadline. For incoming students starting in the fall, the FAFSA will open in December and Radford University's priority deadline to file a FAFSA is March 1.

Students who do not file taxes may be eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise if their Student Aid Index, or SAI, as calculated by the FAFSA is less than $15,000.

Eligible students must be degree-seeking, enrolled full-time and attending Radford University in person on a traditional academic schedule. Readmitted students are eligible as long as they meet all other conditions. 

Current Radford students returning for 2024-2025 are eligible to receive funding through the Radford Tuition Promise beginning in the Fall 2024 semester if they meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards, file a FAFSA by March 1 and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Students who do not qualify for Virginia residency for tuition purposes are not eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise. 

The Radford Tuition Promise supports undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree. As such, graduate students and students seeking a second bachelor's degree are ineligible. Students attending Radford in a non-degree seeking capacity are ineligible.

Radford Tuition Promise is not available to students enrolled in online programs (RN-to-BSN Fast Track and degree completion programs), Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs through the IMPACT Lab, or students enrolled in the New River Community College/Radford University Bridge Program.

On a federal tax return, adjusted gross income is located on line 11. On a Virginia tax return, it is located on line 9.

Students with a higher AGI will still be reviewed for merit-based aid through our Highlander Distinction Program as well as federal, state and institutional aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs based on information submitted on the FAFSA.

Yes, students submitting the VASA application are eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise.

Students are eligible for Radford Tuition Promise regardless of their housing plans. Please note, Radford University's Residential Boarding Policy states that all first-time, first semester students under the age of 21 are required to live in Radford University operated housing for at least four consecutive full semesters.

This policy applies to freshmen students on our main campus. You may request an exemption if you live with immediate family within 60 miles of campus, are married, or have served at least one year of active duty in the US Military forces.

The Radford Tuition Promise can only be used for tuition at Radford University. Unfortunately, it cannot be used for tuition cost incurred through a study abroad program. We encourage you to explore other financial aid opportunities available for study abroad. 

You can file your FAFSA beginning in December at studentaid.gov. We encourage you to check out our Financial Aid Office's webpage about Completing the FAFSA. 

In order to qualify for the Radford Tuition Promise, your FAFSA must be received and processed by the Department of Education. Students with rejected FAFSAs are not eligible. Students selected for verification are eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise as long as all verification requirements are met.

Confirm your enrollment by completing the Enrollment Confirmation Form and paying a $200 deposit in your Highlander Portal (check out this step-by-step video on how to complete your Enrollment Confirmation Form).

The deadline to deposit is June 1 for freshman and transfer students. For students prepared to make a commitment to attend Radford this fall, we encourage you to confirm your enrollment as soon as possible so you have priority access to register for classes, secure housing, start your payment plan and other next steps. After June 1, Radford will allow non-refundable late deposits as space is available.

New freshmen and transfer students who are unable to pay the enrollment deposit may request to waive the required enrollment deposit by completing a Waiver Request form. 

All students enrolling at Radford University are required to submit a Disclosure of Criminal History Form, Health Record Form, and a final high school transcript showing graduation. Students receiving federal or state-supported financial aid must also accept their financial aid award. Review our Admitted Student webpage for step-by-step enrollment directions.

New students (incoming freshmen and transfer students) who remain in good standing with the University and meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards are eligible to receive funding for up to four years (eight semesters) as long as their family's AGI is $100,000 or less and the student's SAI remains at less than $15,000 as determined by the FAFSA.

Please note, eligibility for academic years after the 2024-2025 academic year will be determined by prior-prior year (two years prior) tax information. For example, 2025-2026 eligibility is determined by 2023 tax information. This is the same tax information that will be used for a student's 2025-2026 FAFSA. 

Students are required to file a FAFSA annually by the priority March 1 deadline. 

Please note, the 2024-2025 academic year is the pilot year of the Radford Tuition Promise program and eligibility criteria may be adjusted in future academic years.  

Students awarded a Highlander Distinction Scholarships must adhere to specified requirements to continue receiving funding through the scholarship. 

Current Radford students returning for 2024-2025 are eligible to receive funding through the Radford Tuition Promise beginning in the Fall 2024 semester if they meet all other eligibility criteria. 

Please note, the 2024-2025 academic year is the pilot year of the Radford Tuition Promise program and eligibility criteria may be adjusted in future academic years.

Current Radford undergraduate students who apply for and receive in-state tuition rates are eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise in subsequent semesters.

Radford Tuition Promise does not replace benefits such as

• Virginia Military Survivors Dependents Tuition Waiver

• GI Tuition Benefits

• Foster Care Tuition Waiver 

Non-Virginia residents who qualify for in-state tuition, including Academic Common Market and military provisions, are not eligible for the Radford Tuition Promise. 

Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office with questions about other tuition benefit programs.

We encourage you to contact your Admissions Counselor anytime with questions about the Radford Tuition Promise or how to apply to Radford University.

If you have questions about your eligibility for the Radford Tuition Promise, please complete the Radford Tuition Promise request for follow-up so that a member of our financial aid team can contact you directly.